New Delhi: After the Supreme Court’s nod for passive euthanasia, Harish Rana is currently under the care of doctors in the palliative care department at AIIMS,
Delhi. While he remains unconscious, a team of doctors is closely monitoring his condition as the euthanasia process progresses.
His parents now want to donate his organs. They wish that even if their son passes away, his organs could be donated to help others, allowing his life to continue in some form.
However, it won’t be easy as Harish Rana’s case is different from that of other organ donors.
Can prolonged unconsciousness affect organ viability?
Rana has been in a coma for 13 years, raising concerns about whether prolonged unconsciousness affects organ viability. Medical experts told TV9 Bharatvarsh that the suitability of organs from coma patients depends on multiple factors, including organ health, risk of rejection, and whether any organ is nearing failure.
Dr Ajit Kumar from the Department of Medicine at GTB Hospital, Delhi, explained that since Harish is not brain-dead but in a coma, organ donation procedures would begin only after his death. The condition of organs in coma patients varies and is assessed through detailed medical screening before any transplant decision is made.
He added that there can be differences between organs from a healthy individual who dies suddenly — such as in an accident — and those from a long-term coma patient. In the former case, organs are more likely to be fit with lower rejection risks. In coma patients, however, organ health may be affected due to repeated infections, which can impact organs like the liver and kidneys.
That said, certain tissues such as the cornea (eyes) and skin are more likely to remain viable for donation, though final suitability depends entirely on medical evaluation.
Dr Kumar emphasised that each case is unique, and the final decision rests with the medical team.
A father’s wish to donate his son’s organs
Former Safdarjung Hospital doctor Deepak Suman added that organ donation in India is governed by strict legal guidelines under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. The process is overseen by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). Organs can be retrieved only after death or if a patient is declared brain-dead, and only with the consent of the family.
He further said that while Harish Rana’s father’s wish to donate his son’s organs is deeply humane and commendable, all procedures must strictly follow medical and legal protocols.
Rana is being monitored at AIIMS by a team of 10 doctors. As part of the euthanasia process, his nutrition is being gradually reduced. He is not on ventilator or ICU support but is being given medication to manage pain and maintain basic bodily functions.
